Follow Jesus Series #6

True Faith Will Stand

Text: Matthew 7:21-29

Introduction

The two ways illustrate the start of the life of faith; the two trees illustrate the growth and results of the life of faith here and now; and the two houses illustrate the end of this life of faith, when God shall call everything to judgment

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 31.

The final test is not what we think of ourselves, or what others may think. The final test is: What will God say?

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 31.

1) Profession And Practice

This statement should shake the souls of everyone!

Not to cause doubt in the believer, but to push him/her to examine their profession.

“Not everyone”

Some people will end their life with a sincere faith in the wrong object.

You can possess a lot of religious baggage, yet fall short of God’s standard of righteousness.

The salvation of a soul requires far more than some seem to think.

“Lord, Lord”

Jesus’ audience believed that religion = righteousness.

All they had to offer was a religious work.

Examples: Baptized, church privileges, head-knowledge, works connected to the church…

Anyone can learn a religious vocabulary, memorize Bible verses and sing some hymns.

A LOUD profession can never make up for an empty faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord!!!

When the flood waters came, many screamed with a profession.

Jesus is saying, some will approach me to express what they think of themselves.

You are not the judge on that great day.

What is important is what God thinks of you.

The final test is: What will God say about you?

Who will have entrance into heaven???

Jesus said, “he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

OBEDIENCE is that true test of faith.

Religious words and even religious works are not substitutes for salvation.

Judas himself participated in religious activities and yet died an unbeliever.

Jesus is saying there must be a PRACTICE along with your profession — James 2:14-26

James 2:14–26 KJV 1900

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Our hearing MUST result in DOING — James 1:22-25 “22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

2) Obedience & Strength

There were two men you had the same desire; build a house.

A desire to build a house is not the same as a desire to BUILD IT WELL.

Some want something quick and cheap.

Others will accept the cost to have something built well and will stand strong.

Some give the appearance of sturdiness while others truly are.

The DIFFERENCE between these two houses was not the exterior, but the foundation — Luke 6:48 “48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.”

A poorly built house will stand until the first storm comes.

Like a poorly built house, a false profession will only last until judgment comes.

Judgment can come in many forms.

Matthew 13:4-9 “4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Many have professed and yet denied Christ when life became spiritually costly and difficult.

JESUS’ MAIN POINT = Your profession will one day be judged by God.

Those who have trusted Jesus as Savior and have proved their faith through obedience has nothing to fear.

The house will stand.

The house that will fall is one who lived with only a religious profession and not an obedient faith.